Azerbaijan travel guide (Asia)

The Republic of Azerbaijan is in the eastern part of Caucasia on a strip of land between the black and the Caspian seas. It shares borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran. The autonomous region, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and seven further districts in the south west of Azerbaijan are also under the control of the country. The name of the state is derived from the two old Iranian words Azer meaning fire and Baykan for guard and refers to the former temples of the Zoroastrian fire worshippers that were to be found in the whole of the Azerbaijan area. Crude oil was already being used at that time to feed the temple fires and the largest oil reserve ever is to be found on the Apseron peninsula is near the capital, Baku. Geography: Azerbaijan is on the European-Asian border and is largely determined by the Caspian Caucasus, which divides the country into two. In the north by Russia, the Greater Caucasus forms a border to the states territory and under this mountain range the easterly Lesser Caucasus crosses the southern and western parts of the country. Between these two impressive mountain ranges is the transcaucasian basin that stretches to Georgia and the Caspian Sea. These fertile plains in the far south of the country are bordered by the Tallish mountains with altitudes of up to 2,500 m (8,202 ft) running parallel to the Caspian sea and reaching well into Iran. Mountains and rivers: the highest point in the Azerbaijan Caucasus is the Bazardüzu with an altitude of 4,485 m (14,714 ft) on the Russian border. The longest river of the country is the Kura measuring 1,515 km (941 miles). It has its source on the Turkish east border in the Kars region and flows through the whole of Armenia and Azerbaijan and then into the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea has an area of 370,000 km² and is the largest „lake“ on earth with a wealth of natural oil reserves as well as the popular caviar from the sturgeons. Climate and best time to visit: the best time to travel to Azerbaijan is between April and October. There are various climate zones in Azerbaijan due to the country’s location and the Caucasian relief. In the coastal regions the climate is dry and subtropical during the summer months. Temperatures fall slowly and rainfall increases the higher the altitude. The fertile plains on the Kura are determined by a semi-dry steppe climate with characteristically mild winters and hot summers. Language and communication: the official and national language is Azerbaijani, a language belonging to the same family as Turkish. Russian and Turkish are also often understood in regions outside the capital. English is only spoken by the younger generation and by those involved in trade in the capital. Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. There is only a slight chance of contracting malaria between July and October in the lower lying regions on the Kura and in the regions bordering on Iran and Georgia. Please seek advice from your GP on effective anti malaria medication. Medical care is only sufficient in the capital city Baku, particularly in cases of emergency. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eatenEntry requirements: British nationals need a visa for Azerbaijan, which is obtainable from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan or on arrival by air in Baku. Visas must be valid when leaving the country, overstaying is liable to a fine. Extensions can be obtained at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Baku. Some countries require evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter or leave the country. For further information on exact requirements at immigration please contact the Azerbaijan representation in the UK. For more information on vaccination and entry requirements please refer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website. Security advice: independent travel in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area surrounding it is not recommended.

Arrival:Aeroflot regularly flies from London-Heathrow (LHR) to Baku (BAK). Most connections involve a change or are code shares for example operated by Lufthansa, British Airways and Austrian Airline. Capital city: the capital city, Baku, on the western coast of the Caspian Sea is the economic and cultural centre of the country with 1.8 million inhabitants. The oriental old town in Baku was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is particularly worth seeing. The picturesque old town was built by the Persians and is protected by two double walls enclosing a labyrinth of countless narrow lanes and several restored caravanserais dating from the 14th century, turkish baths, mosques and the maiden tower “Kyz Kalazy" from the 12th century and the impressive Shah Shirvan Palace.Places of interest and beaches: Azerbaijan has a wealth of historical and natural sites with wonderful holiday resorts on the Caspian Sea. Outside Baku on the Asperon peninsula there are several castles from the 14th century bult by Shah Shirvan to defend the city from attacks from the sea. The best-preserved castles are Ramana, Nardaran and Mardkyany. A further interesting attraction is about 80 km south of Baku in the village of Kobustan. The village is the location of rock paintings that are older than 10,000 years on a total area of 100 km² in a strange landscape setting of volcanoes on the Caspian coast. The paintings depict hunting scenes, ritual dances, mammals, boats and initials and comments of roman soldiers from the 1st century. Another place worth seeing is the city of Shamaki on the southern slopes of the greater Caucasus. The place was already an important trading post on the Silk Road and is the location of a beautiful mosque from the 10th century, the impressive Gulisan Fortress from the 11th century and a mausoleum from the 15th century. Shamuka, 120 km from Baku on the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus is also worth a visit. The town was founded in the 2nd century and destroyed and plundered several times throughout history, but is still in possession of several attractions including the large mosque and the ruins of the fortress from the 10th century as well as the royal mausoleum on seven domes. The region Lenkoran on the south coast is good for walking. The area is well known for its humid climate and has a great variety of flora and fauna. This is also the location of the national park of Gizilagach, with more than 200 different bird and rare and ancient types of tree. The holiday resorts on the Caspian Sea were already popular back in soviet times and partly have a good infrastructure. Nabran, Siazan and Khudat are good holiday resorts and far enough from the oil platforms in the Caspian Sea. Religion: about 90 % of the inhabitants are followers of Sunni Islam. There are also large minorities of Christians and Jews in the country. Major Cities and accommodation: Baku, Gäncä, Sumqayıt, Mingäçevir, Qaraçuxur, Äli Bayramlı and Bakıxanov.